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Dolphins at the surface in deep blue water off Calheta

See whales off Calheta.

Whales and dolphins, two hours from Calheta, with a land spotter and a full refund.

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  • A spotter on land finds the animals
  • Full refund if you see no cetaceans
  • Two RIBs, Cetos and Pakicetus
  • Check in 20 minutes before, at the marina

Two boats, the same trip.

Cetos and Pakicetus run the same two-hour trip. Pick the boat that has a departure that day.

Dolphins at the surface in deep blue water off Calheta

The trip

From the land spotter back to the marina.

  1. 1

    The spotter

    On land, finds the whales and dolphins and tells the boat where to go.

  2. 2

    The marina

    Check in 20 minutes early at the office in Calheta marina.

  3. 3

    The sea

    At least two hours on the RIB, then back to the same marina.

At sea

Cetaceans off Madeira.

Dolphins at the surface in deep blue water off Calheta
A sperm whale raising its head out of the water
A whale at the surface among seabirds, with Madeira's cliffs behind
A sperm whale fluke above blue water off Madeira

Meeting point

Calheta marina, shop 38.

Calheta marina, shop 38© OpenStreetMap

H2O Madeira office, Estrada D. Manuel I, Porto de Recreio da Calheta, shop 38, between the Savoy Calheta Beach and the Savoy Saccharum. Arrive 20 minutes early. They point guests to the marina car park as the closest.

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What if we see no animals?

They return the money in full if you see no dolphins and no whales. The English page says the success rate has been above 98% over the last 9 years. The Portuguese page says 100% in 2020 and 99% over the last 5 years. Those are their figures, not an average.

Where do we meet?

At the H2O Madeira office in Calheta marina, level 0, 20 minutes before departure. Bags stay at the office. Bring comfortable clothes, a jacket, a hat, sun protection, water and a camera.

Can we swim with dolphins?

Yes, as a €20 add-on to the normal trip, with a pre-booking for a maximum of 4 people, and only when conditions and the animals allow. It is not free swimming: you hold a line and the boat tows you, and snorkel experience is required. If it does not happen, you pay only for the normal trip.

Is there a private charter?

Yes. A private charter is €600 for up to 12 people. It has no separate online departure: call or email to arrange it. Shared seats are €60 for adults and €35 for children aged 2 to 12.

Which animals might we see?

Spotted, common, bottlenose, striped, rough-toothed and Risso's dolphins, and pilot, sperm, Blainville's beaked, Bryde's, sei and fin whales. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins have a local population. Swimming is with spotted and common dolphins. It depends on the day.

Who should not come?

It is not suitable for people with back problems, for anyone who is pregnant, or for guests with reduced mobility.

A seat on the next boat.

Cetos and Pakicetus leave from Calheta marina. The calendar shows the days with a departure.

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